2008 Preview: Wisconsin

2007: 9-3 (6-3), Lost to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl

First things first, we need to address the number one concern for all Wisconsin fans:

Will Aaron Rodgers and his many mustaches be able to fill in for Favre?

Anyway, back to the matter at hand...
One of the more solid programs in the conference, Wisconsin regularly puts together a top notch team. Unfortunately, those top notch teams never really become great teams or travel far beyond the Capital One or Outback Bowls. If we were Wisconsin fans, it would be hard to complain about four straight years of New Years Day bowls, but the good people of Wisconsin are probably hurtin to see some BCS action.

The chances of the Badgers to make an appearance in a BCS bowl this season probably rest entirely on the shoulders of PJ Hill. Make no mistake about it, he can run. It will be no surprise when Bielema starts calling for the ball to get to Hill early and often. As PJ Hill goes this season, so go the Badgers.

Also, PJ Hill has his own website We couldn't believe it when we saw it either. Hope you like the third person.

"Visit PJ Hill's website." - PJ Hill

At quarterback, there's seemingly no number one guy. It will be either senior Allan Evridge or junior Dustin Sherer. At last check, neither had really claimed the position (sound familiar?). Whomever ends up under center, they should get used to two things: handing off to PJ Hill and passing to Travis Beckum. Beckum, who was first-team All Conference last season caught 75 passes for 982 yards. By comparison, Derrick Williams caught 55 for 529 last season. Oh, and did we mention that Beckum is a tight end?

If the quarterback they choose can match the play of PJ Hill, Travis Beckum and an emerging young receiving corps, the Wisconsin offense should be just fine. In all likelihood, it should be Allan Evridge as he has more experience at the collegiate level. With the team he has around him, all he should have to do is be consistent, and not worry about trying to win the games.

Defensively, the Badgers are returning 9 starters. Of those nine, 6 of them are coming off of pretty bad injuries -- including their top corners Allan Langford and Aaron Henry with torn ACLs. All four members of the defensive line are also coming off of injury, including end Matt Shaughnessy with a broken leg.

Fortunately for the Badgers, they have a solid group of returning linebackers. Jonathan Casillas should be in the running for some awards this season. Casillas and his mates will have to play a lot of clean up if the health of the line continues to be an issue.

With the considerable experience on the defensive side of the ball, if everyone can stay healthy the Badgers should have a succesful year defensively.

As for the schedule, Wisconsin has one of the toughest. After the usual Big11Ten cupcake teams to open the season, Wisconsin will travel to Fresno State. Fresno State will be jacked up for this one and the Badgers will need to bring their best. Fresno State's not your run of the mill out of conference opponent, so the Badgers will need to be sharp.

After that game, they get a week off to prep for a road trip to Michigan. Despite it being a down year for Michigan (potentially), it's never a good thing when you have to travel to Ann Arbor.

Following Michigan the Badgers play at home against Ohio State, Penn State, then travel to Iowa before returning home for a game against Illinois. If Wisconsin can get through that stretch, perhaps even with just one loss, they should be at the top of the running for Big11Ten Champs as they close with Michigan State, Indiana, Minnesota and a team that really strikes fear into everyone -- Cal Poly.

A lot of what happens to Wisconsin this season will rest on the health of their defensive players and the performance of a yet-to-be-named quarterback. Overall, there's a very good team up there, with the potential to be great.

Oh, and having this on your side probably doesn't hurt:

Our Prediction for this season: 10-2 (6-2)